Israeli Military Targets Islamist Infrastructure in Southern Gaza Strip
During an intense battle against the last major Hamas units in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel's military forces have aimed to crush the infrastructure of Islamists. The offensive, particularly in Rafah, resulted in the claimed killing of over 900 terrorists, which included a battalion commander, many company commanders, and numerous fighters, as Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi announced during a troop visit at the Kerem Shalom border crossing. This information was initially unverifiable. Chief Halevi emphasized the focus on destroying the terrorist infrastructure, emphasizing that it will be a long-term operation to ensure no intact terrorist infrastructure in Rafah. In the upcoming phase, Israeli forces will alter their tactics with a goal to wear down the enemy and complete the mission. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that the dismantling of the last major Hamas combat units in the southern Gaza Strip could potentially signal the end of the large-scale ground offensive in the area, yet this doesn't necessarily mean the conclusion of the military operation. Netanyahu and senior military officials have reiterated the plan to maintain troops at strategic points in Gaza even post intense fighting. On the Palestinian side, reports indicated that at least 31 people were killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, with 17 fatalities in Gaza city alone. Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on Israeli border areas. Israeli forces reported two soldiers killed and another severely injured during the mission. The health authority in Gaza mentioned nearly 38,000 casualties and over 87,000 injuries since the conflict began, with verifiable figures not distinguishing between civilians and fighters. The war was ostensibly triggered by a massacre on October 7 in Israel carried out by Hamas terrorists and other groups. Meanwhile, in Iran, Reformer Pezeshkian has achieved significant success.
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